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Microsoft Encarta 2005 (Reviewed by Fred Sabin, President, NJCC) Do you remember when you needed to find information or write a report for school? Do you have children or grandchildren who need to do it today? What did you do then, and what do they do now? You probably went to a library and thumbed through an encyclopedia to get the information and then typed your report on a typewriter. They probably go to the Internet and then do their report on a word processor. But you both had or have the same problem. How good is the information? Is it current, accurate, relevant, readily available, documented, etc.? Microsoft responds to this need with numerous excellent software based products, including Encarta Encyclopedia Standard, Encarta Encyclopedia Deluxe, Encarta Online, and Encarta Reference Library Premium (the most comprehensive product and the subject of this review). Microsoft Encarta 2005 Reference Library Premium is available on a DVD or five CDs, and includes the full Encarta Encyclopedia Deluxe (with articles, maps, photos, sound clips, videos, etc.), MSN Encarta Premium (with on-line information, references, downloadable updates, etc.), a dictionary, thesaurus, quotations, atlas, literature guides, and homework helpers. Everything you need to start your work is available on your computer, and website links will take you to trustworthy reference sites when you are connected to the Internet. Information is available for kids to grownups, to do research or assignments, or to just explore and discover something new. You can surf the information without being connected to the Internet, or be entertained while being educated with multimedia presentations. It is truly for everyone, and has a great variety of ways in which it can be used. The program will run on Microsoft Windows 98, ME, or XP with a recommended 500 MHz Pentium CPU; 128 MB RAM; a CD-ROM; and a hard-drive with at least 430 MB space to run from the CDs (or more than 2 GB space to store everything on the hard-drive). Full multimedia and Internet usage may require sound cards with speakers; higher video memory or resolutions; and Internet access with Microsoft Internet Explorer 6.0. This is a software program I would highly recommend to everyone. The different versions are available in many local stores as well as online. Pricing may vary with store specials, rebates, etc. Older versions are often available at greatly reduced pricing, but the information will not be as current as the most recent version, and on-line updates via MSN Encarta Premium may also not be available. An earlier version will certainly whet your appetite, but it may also cause you to return to purchase the latest version. I described Microsoft Encarta 2005 Reference Library Premium at our December 8th NJCC meeting, and will be doing a hands-on presentation and demo of it at a future NJCC Meeting. Please feel free to contact me (732-469-3843) for additional information or to answer any of your questions about this software. |
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